Giving a shout out to the Lake Superior Community!  Come one, Come all!  And Merry Christmas!

They…. Are…. Back!  Please welcome our old friends from YGV Auction and join us on Lake Superior for a Christmas festival and auction!

Date:  Saturday, December 17th

Location:  YGV Auction House, Malas, Coordinates  91 46N 65 2 E

We anticipate that gates will be provided from Luna Bank and Britian Bank.  We are hoping for an EM temporary gate.  More info to follow.

Time:  1:00 pm EST, 12:00 pm CST

Info:  Discussion regarding the games and the following auction.

Game #1:  Where in the world is Santa?

Time:  1:30 pm EST, 12:30 pm CST

Location:  YGV Auction House, Malas, Coordinates  91 46N 65 2 E

Info: Each person is given a book with 6 clues on where to find Santa. The first 3 to find Santa get a prize. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Players will have 30 minutes to find Santa and return prior to the start of the next event. Downtime between events will consist of idle chit chat and a few trivia questions for smaller prizes.

Game #2:  4 Square For a Rounded Win

Time:  2:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm CST

Location:  YGV Auction House, Malas, Coordinates  91 46N 65 2 E

Info:  One person at a time will be allowed into the room, the festival helper in each room will ask the person a question and if they answer correctly in the time allotted they get to pick which gift box they would like to open. Otherwise we pick the gift box. Everyone gets something.

After this event a short break will follow to allow for pit stops etc. During this time players will be invited to look at the bags other players have submitted for the bag deco contest. Winners for the Bag Art Deco Contest will be announced prior to the start of the auction.

Game #3:  Bag Art Deco Contest

Time:  Entries must be submitted by 8pm EST on 12/16.  Please use only items that can be purchased at NPC’s in order to keep it fair for everyone.

Location:  YGV Auction House, Malas, Coordinates  91 46N 65 2 E

Info: Please use only items that can be purchased at NPC’s in order to keep it fair for everyone. Also keep in mind it is christmas time and as such your deco bags should reflect the season. Alos the bag you enter must not have been used in other deco contests ,If it has been in other contests it will not be judged in this event all entires are to be new and not in a another bag art deco contest befor this one.There will be a rune locked down at the A^^I vendor house in Luna located at 100o 17’N, 27o 4’W that takes you to the bag art house, drop bag art in mailbox with a book explaining what it is and your name/contact info, You may also contact  Pandora or Magdalaine to turn in your bag deco art. Icq for Pandora 246041976, Magdalaine’s Icq is 242139394.

Game #4:  Drunken Egg Nog Darts

Time:  2:40pm EST, 1:40 pm CST

Location: YGV Auction House, Malas, Coordinates  91 46N 65 2 E

Info:  1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will win prizes for top score. Players must consume eggnog and play darts.

The games end at approximately 3:30EST and 2:30CST at which time I will remind everyone that the auction starts at 7pm est. The auction list will be out a week before the auction. Players will be advised to be back a little early as there might be other odd games or questions and prizes given out befor the auction starts. I would also like to remind players that as always in YGV auctions we have prizes to give out throughout the auction, and no one wants to miss Meeting Santa in the tell santa what you would like for christmas line. Santa will give each person a gift bag . This is to take place at the end of the auctiona at the close of the day.

I would like to invite players to set up vendors at the house on the front steps. To sell any items they wish . To set up vendor or if you have any questions drop a book in the mailbox at bag art house or contact Cionduan/Piper ICQ 242139394 for help.

Hope to see everyone there and Merry Christmas!!

Want to go hunting but don’t have a big enough group? Are you looking for good guides to dungeons you’ve yet to explore?  The community hunts are open to everyone! Come show your support for the Lake Superior community and take a walk on the wild side at the same time. Meet some new and old friends and have a bit of a challenge along the way.

Pirate hunt (High Seas expansion)

Date: Tuesday, December 13th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Peerless hunt

Date: Wednesday, December 14th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Stygian Dragon hunt (Stygian Abyss expansion)

Date: Thursday, December 15th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Champion Spawn hunt

Date: Friday, December 16th

Time: 9:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

And remember, these hunts are for everyone, regardless of their skill level or guild affiliation. Come meet new friends, see new places, gain experience and just have fun.

Sabina Nikolai,

High Marshall, Community Hunt Organizer

The Order of the Silver Rose

Community Meet Up – December 12, 2011

Date: Every Monday Night

Time: 7:30PM CST

Location:  Skara Brae Community Center – located next to the bank

Meeting Agenda:

We’ll hear weekly announcements of upcoming events and hunts for Lake Superior from Sabina our events coordinator.

The weekly community meetings, events, hunts, etc are always open to the public. No invitations needed!

Everyone is always welcome to come ask questions, make plans, or make announcements.

Bring a friend if you can make it, tell a friend if you can’t!

Six Questions and Answers to give an insight to:

EM Autolycus

Elder Event Moderator, Ultima Online

When you first started what impression did you have about doing events, is it harder or easier than you expected? Did you get nervous and do you still get nervous?

I really didn’t come into the program with any expectations. When we were told to design and perform our first event, I had no clue what I was doing. Nobody did. I almost feel it was easier in the beginning, though. Nothing had really been done, yet. We were open to just about anything. Now, almost three years later, you find yourself grasping for something new. Something to keep the interest alive. This is the mechanism that lets the EM program evolve, and forces us to keep pushing for that something different.

I’m not sure that the anxiety before an event ever leaves everyone, entirely. In the beginning, we were all biting our nails. To this day, there is still plenty of room for some pre-event jitters. There is no way to test a new event concept, or a new monster template, with any certainty. It takes players. That first time testing something is always worrisome. There are so many variables to consider when you’re designing an event, and one simple foul-up can send the whole event awry.

What is it like working with the EM team and Mesanna?

The EM team is an ever changing beast. A lot of names have come and go over the years. Nevertheless, it has always been a great team to be a part of. There is so much creativity and intelligence bouncing around between them all; it makes it a wonderful group to work with. Working with Mesanna has been the true treat, though. She has a tougher work ethic than most anyone I’ve known, and she doesn’t have time for nonsense. She’s our Skipper, and without her this ship is sinking. The communication between us all cannot be understated. If it weren’t for the unceasing chatter between us, the program might not have functioned.

What do you think about the structure of the program?

The program has a relatively simple structure. Shards get two Event Moderators (generally, sorry Siege!). While seniority on the team is sometimes respected, we consider ourselves equal EM’s from the moment we pass training. The Elder title is honorific, only. So, really, there isn’t a whole lot to say on the matter. It works! Historical fact… at the start of this program, some shards were assigned a single event mod while other EMs were given the job of “floaters”. Apparently, they “floated” between the shards. EM Faine Morgan (now an Elder) was originally a floater!

Can you describe the training you have to go thru to become a EM?

Well, those of us from the beginning really didn’t get much training. Sure, we were taught our basic commands and powers… but it would be impossible to teach us the dynamics of events. The first EM program was radically different than this one in many respects. We were essentially flying blind. Winging it, as it were. But, over time we were able to develop methods and guides. Now, the modern newbie EM has a manual, training, a test, and they even do some cross-shard shadow work. Some from the LS community may remember EM Taka from the Britannian Games, or EM Augustus from one of the L-Ag events.

If someone wanted to join the program, what would be the first thing you would say to them?

If they want it in, I say go for it! Mesanna is always accepting applications, feel free to fill her inbox up. Really. She loves it when she has a few-hundred e-mails to go through each morning. Don’t let her down! Hah, in all seriousness though… being an EM is fun. If they have the nerve, than join right up!

Would you like to have a little more control over the player base at events?

This is a tough one. We are EMs, not GMs. It isn’t our place to punish players outside of RP, or to even judge if they deserve it. I’m certain every EM has, at one point or another, wanted to squelch someone. But, really, there are many ways to keep control of events without expanding our powers into the realm of GM. Much of the attitude of the player has to do with the work of each EM. The thing to remember is, every event mod is a player, too. There is a lot of room to identify with, understand, and respect one another. An EM should learn how to work with all types of players, from griefers to roleplayers and spawners to Trammies. Also, humor is generally more effective than spite. When all else fails, for the players, there is the ignore feature. For the EMs, there are shadow fiends. Mwahahahahaaa!

What is your favorite part of the LS (shard) community?

A favorite part of the LS players? I wouldn’t even know where to begin. When I get to spend a couple hours at a social event with LS, I find myself feeling pity for all other shards’ EMs. We have such a mature and respectful group. Their discipline, such as at the Royal Guard Drills, have left visiting EMs in awe. Recently, members of the LS community have been getting together to put on large festivals for all of LS to enjoy. They have been great fun, and a big success! Its no clique, here. Everyone can get involved! If you want in on organized community happenings, just come to the meetings held every Monday, 7:30pm CST, at the community center next to Skara bank. I could rant on and on, and tell stories all day, but I’ll try to summarize. LS players rule while other shards’ drool! Nananana booboo.

What is one thing you would to see improve between your community and the EM team?

Things between members of the LS community, of which EM Aname and myself are a part of, already work so well. There is some good communication there. But I still see many members of the LS family out in the dark. I do wish I could encourage more of the community to contact us, whether through e-mail or our site. LS isn’t the most chatty bunch out of game, as can be witnessed on the relatively inactive LS forum. So, LS… If you have criticism, or a compliment even, maybe an event suggestion or an inappropriate life suggestion, get it to us. We also love supporting player events… so if you or your guild wants to do something, holler!

[email protected], [email protected], lakesuperior.uoem.net, the EM forum at Stratics, a PM through Stratics, however you have to do it, we want to hear from you.

Posted to the EM news site;

The last couple promotion meetings have left us with a nice new group to get placed in divisions. Marines, Tamers, Medics, Cavalry, and Scouts/Spies are all in need! The tests are designed to test your character’s ability to perform well within that division (for example, Cavalry will test your ability to inflict high damage upon the enemy). We would like to invite all unassigned PFCs, as well as some Privates that are nearing PFC promo. If you are on the following list, please consider which of the five above-mentioned divisions you’d like to join.

The EM site itself is here.  

Want to go hunting but don’t have a big enough group? Are you looking for good guides to dungeons you’ve yet to explore?

The community hunts are open to everyone! Come show your support for the Lake Superior community and take a walk on the wild side at the same time. Meet some new and old friends and have a bit of a challenge along the way.

Navrey Night-Eyes hunt (Stygian Abyss expansion)

Date: Tuesday, December 6th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Peerless hunt

Date: Wednesday, December 7th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Stygian Dragon hunt (Stygian Abyss expansion)

Date: Thursday, December 8th

Time: 8:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Champion Spawn hunt

Date: Friday, December 9th

Time: 9:00PM CST

Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank

Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

And remember, these hunts are for everyone, regardless of their skill level or guild affiliation. Come meet new friends, see new places, gain experience and just have fun.

Sabina Nikolai,

High Marshall, Community Hunt Organizer

The Order of the Silver Rose

Community Meet Up – December 5, 2011

Date: Every Monday Night

Time: 7:30PM CST

Location:  Skara Brae Community Center – located next to the bank

Meeting Agenda:

We’ll hear weekly announcements of upcoming events and hunts for Lake Superior from Sabina our events coordinator.

The weekly community meetings, events, hunts, etc are always open to the public. No invitations needed!

Everyone is always welcome to come ask questions, make plans, or make announcements.

Bring a friend if you can make it, tell a friend if you can’t!

Posted to the EM news site;

That time comes for everything, been around too long and you have to take your leave.
Your friendly local neighborhood green robes, both of ‘em, are leaving for good.We would like to hold a meet and greet, to make some good parting memories.Please meet at the EM hall Britain,
At 6PM Central time / 7PM Eastern Time
On Thursday December 8th 2011.

The EM site itself is here.  

Posted to the EM news site;

This is one part of many, where the guards will randomly explore locations to make sure things are as they should be.

This one isn’t as safe as the last, for those who attended the last. Recommend some way to do combat. 

Where: Brit Castle

When: Sunday, the 27th. 1PM Cst / 2 PM Est

The EM site itself is here.